Image maker and method for creating images and coding



A. J. MINASY Aug. 22, 1967 IMAGE MAKER AND METHOD FOR CREATING IMAGES AND CUDING Filed May 4, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 I A. J. MINASY 7 3,336,681

IMAGE MAKER AND METHOD FOR CREATING IMAGES AND CODING Filed May 4, 1964 MANUAL. PAPER C1210 on SQEEEN Me'cuAmcnL coun ran.

LEAD SCH EVV POT ENTIOPETE'R sromc, memozv I I18 [L0 I 120 .119 Z L READ OUT v FIG-.9 V I ELECTIZICHL FIG-.6

f Y INVENTOR; fiRTl/uR J llfluvfljl Z M H WW7 United States Patent 3,336,681 IMAGE MAKER AND METHOD FOR CREATING IMAGES AND CODING Arthur J. Minasy, 21 Elm St., Woodbury, N.Y. 11797 Filed May 4, 1964, Ser. No. 364,747 7 Claims. (Cl. 35-28) The present invention relates to a system of pictorial reconstruction of facial features from a description, such as is used in police work for identification of criminals from their description by witnesses, and to apparatus for use in the system.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a system of pictorial facial reconstruction and apparatus used therein in which a variable image reflector, or mirror such as the type disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 163,728, filed Oct. 2, 1962, US. Letters Patent No. 3,229,578, constitutes a part.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a rapid system of creating a pictorial representation of facial features of a person from a verbal description and for providing closer approximation to the actual features of the person described than has been possible with systems and devices heretofore used for the same purpose.

It is another object of the present inventionlto provide a pictorial reconstruction and identification system, of the character described, which utilizes relatively simple and compact apparatus that may be easily, conveniently and rapidly manipulated.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a code for use with the apparatus of the invention so that a pictorial representation produced from one appara tus made in accordance with the invention can be reproduced by the use of the code in another such apparatus a great distance away by means of the use of the code rather than by means of actually forwarding a photograph.

It is another object of the invention to prepare such a code and provide a coding for each photograph of a known criminal placed in a book such as a mug book or rogues gallery or modus operandi (M.O.) file so that when a pictorial construction of a known perpetrator is made on an apparatus of the invention and coded, the code number may be flashed to all places where such photographs of known criminals are kept for purposes of determining whether or not a known criminal is the one sought for the particular crime or incident complained of.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus for the system of the present invention which is of relatively simple construction, easily and conveniently operated, and provides a maximum flexibility in the reconstruction and identification of facial features from a description.

It is still a further object of the present inventon to provide aparatus, of the character described, which is compact and relatively light weight so that it is readily portable from place to place and enables a police official to make an on-the-spot reconstruction of facial features, at the place where a crime was committed, from the description of witnesses of the crime, while the events and details are still fresh in the minds of the witnesses.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus, of the character described, which is strong, sturdy, durable and may, nevertheless, be produced at such relatively low cost that it may be available for use by police departments of even relatively small communities.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the system and apparatus of the present invention are more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the embodiment of the apparatus more or less diagrammatically shown in the accompanying drawings and from the de scription following. It is to be understood, however, that such embodiment is shown by way of illustration only, to make the principles and practice of the invention more readily comprehensible, and without any intent of limiting the invention to the specific details therein shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, elevational view of a number of transparencies for use with the apparatus of the present invention in the facial reconstruction systemof the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, fragmentary view of a transparency-holding unit for the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the composite pictorial facial reconstruction attained from a set of transparencies;

FIG. 4 is a more or less diagrammatic, perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention, shown in use, with a facial reconstruction from the transparencies modified from relatively round shape as reflected through the transparencies, to elongated shape, by the manipulation of the variable reflecting device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate form of the device;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a form of variable image reflector detail of the device, with the motor housings and shafts in elevation;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a grid arrangement on the screen 16 for use in one of the coding systems of the lnvention; I

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation of the face of a counter which is preferably positioned behind each of the motor housings in one of the forms of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an electrical system for coding including the use of an electrical memory storage device.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Generally stated, the present invention utilizes a plurality'of transparencies, each bearing a drawing or out line of a single feature or a segment of a face, such as the brow, the eyes, the ears, the nose, the mouth, and the chin, which are aligned in front of a projector light with the individual features in proper orientation relative to one another, toproduce an image of a complete face on a fixed mirror or reflector from which the face is projected to a variable reflector, different portions of which may be offset at angles to other portions thereof, by which it may be reflected, with many variations of the different parts of the face, onto a screen, from which it may be copied when the right result is obtained, by photography or by hand drawing.

To carry out the process of the present invention, the apparatus, more or less diagrammatically illustrated as a composite unit in FIG. 3 of the drawings, comprises a projector, which is diagrammatically illustrated at 10; a plurality of transparencies, such as 11a through 11d inclusive, each preferably bearing several forms or variations of one integral facial feature or part of a facial feature, which will be hereinafter described in greater detail; a transparency holder, generally designated as 12, arranged in front of the projector 10; a mirror 13 disposed a suitable distance in front of the transparency holder 12 at an angle to reflect the images projected thereon through the transparencies 11, to a variable reflector, generally designated as 15, which disposed in offset, preferably in elevated position relative to the mirror 13; and a screen 16 disposed in facing relation to the variable reflector 15 above the mirror 13.

The projector 10 and the variable reflector 15 may preferably be housed in a unitary housing 17 which is provided with an opening 18 at the top to receive the transparency holder 12 to maintain the transparencies in appropriate position for reflecting the images on the transparencies onto the mirror 13.

The mirror 13 and screen 16 may likewise be combined in unitary structure 20 preferably mounted on rails 21 that may telescope on rails 22 into abutment with housing 17 so as to form a compact arrangement that may fit into an outer casing (not shown) to be easily and conveniently carried by hand and transported.

The projector may be of any conventional type suitable for the purpose. The transparencies 11 may each comprise an elongated strip of relatively thick, relatively stitf transparent photographic film or other synthetic plastic material on which they are arranged in spaced longitudinal alignment, outlines of a feature or portion of a face, with the individual features on each of the several transparencies 11a through d being arranged in appropriate lateral relation to the features on the other of the transparencies 11a through d.

Each representation to a feature on each of the transparencies 11 is formed to vary from that of the other representations of such feature on the same transparency. While any number of transparencies 11 may be provided, each showing an entire feature or part thereof, with a complete set of transparencies supplying the representation of a complete face, I have shown, in the drawings, for the sake of economy in illustration, only four transparencies; namely, 11a bearing four representations vertically spaced of four variations of a brow; 11b bearing four representations of different forms of a pair of ears, with the two ears appropriately spaced to permit disposal between them of the other portions of a face; 110 the representation of a pair of eyes including eyebrows; and 11d bearing representation of four different types of noses.

It will be understood that for practical use, additional transparencies will be supplied for representations of chins, mouths, lips and such other features or parts thereof as may be required, the preferred number of transparencies being seven as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings.

The transparency holder 12 will comprise a pair of channels 23 held in spaced-apart relation a distance slightly greater than the width of a transparency 11 by means of one or more cross-bars 24 arranged in a manner as not to interfere with the passage of light from the projector 10, between channels 23, to the mirror 13. The channels 23 may be preferably wider at the upper end, as at 25, and may each resiliently support at its upper end by leaf spring 26, or other resilient means, a horizontally disposed elongated block 27 which is provided with transverse slots 28 facing in the direction of the other block. The slots 28 are of such depth as to have blocks 27 impinge against the edges of the transparencies 11 to resiliently and frictionally hold such transparencies in any adjusted position so that any of their frames may be registered into a composite frame 29 as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

The variable reflector may be one such as the one disclosed in said Patent No. 3,229,578, and it is comprised of all the component parts and other features as fully disclosed in the said patent, and includes a reflector means, or mirror, similar to the reflector 10, as described in said patent, and need not be further described herein at length.

The apparatus described in Patent No. 3,229,578 including the variable reflector assembly, designated in this application by reference numeral 15, may -be utilized to reconstruct a section of a face of a person from a description given by a witness. The operator selects transparency 11a representing a part of the face and disposes it in the transparency holder 12 and adjusts it in position until frame of the transparency corresponding most closely to the description given by the witness of that facial feature is reflected on the mirror 13 and on the rest of the system comprising reflectors and screen 16.

Thus, when the witness describes the brow of the person having a low hairline and curling hair, the operator will select the transparency 11a and move it in the holder 12 until the brow representation on a frame of the transparency corresponding most closely to the description is disposed in front of the projector 10 and the image thereof is thrown on the mirror 13. The operator may then place transparency 11b into the holder 12 and adjust it in position until the frame having a set of eyes and eyebrows corresponding most closely to the description given by the witness is in front of the light source and in position to have the image cast on the mirror 13 in proper relation to the eyebrows. This procedure will be repeated with the various other facial features or sections by inserting and adjusting transparencies 11c and 11d with other complimentary facial features until an entire face is shown on the screen 16. Such face may only comprise a very rough and not too close approximation of the actual visage of the person who is being identified.

Since this roughly reconstructed face is reflected from the mirror 13 to the variable reflector 30 and thence to the screen 16, when the operator then manipulates switches (not shown herein, but described and illustrated as switches 54 in the mentioned Patent No. 3,229,578) to deflect various parts of the reflector 30 rearwardly or forwardly of its normal plane, as may be desired, the width or length of the various features of the face reflected on the screen 16 will be enlarged or reduced to attain a more accurately representative image on the screen 16. Thus, if the top part of the reflector 30 is deflected rearwardly, away from the screen, the forehead portion of the image on the screen will be lengthened, and if deflected forwardly, the forehead portion will be shortened. Similarly, if the lower portion of the reflector 30 is rearwardly deflected, the jaw portion of the image will be lengthened, and if forwardly deflected, it will be shortened. By this means, a particular type of brow, for instance, may be made to have a long forehead or a short forehead without the need for using numerous representations of foreheads for that purpose. Similarly, a particular type of jaw, as a square jaw, for instance, may be, by a deflection of the reflector 30, made long or short. It will also be clear that the deflection of the upper corner portion of reflector 30, if moved forwardly or rearwardly, will cause the top portion of the face to become narrower or wider, and the deflection of the lower corner portions of the reflector 30 will cause the lower part of the face to become narrower or wider, depending on the direction of the deflection.

Thus, in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the face whose image appears on the mirror 13 is shown as having been lengthened on the screen 16 without having replaced or adjusted any of the transparencies 11 in the holder 12.

The form of device illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings shows a projector 10 aimed at a simple reflecting mirror 13 which in turn reflects back toward a variable reflecting mirror 15 which in turn reflects the image on screen 16. Other forms of the device of the invention can be made. For example, that shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings would provide a more portable model having a projector having a side loading assembly 101, said projector 100 being aimed at a variable mirror assembly 115 which in turn directs the reflection towards a translucent screen 106 which comprises a part, such as the cover 102 of the form of device 105 shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. It is to be understood that any possible variation of placement of reflecting mirrors, variable mirrors, projectors and screens may be made in a device so long as there is at least one variable mirror to provide for the deflection and deformation of the image in accordance with the system and process of the invention.

Another form of mirror construction is shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. This form is preferred for some of the applications of the coding system of the invention inasmuch as a greater measurable control of the actual positioning of the mirror is provided for in connection with both the mechanical and electrical coding systems which will be more fully described hereinbelow. In the form of mirror shown in FIG. 6, the rear wall shown in Patent No. 3,229,578 (reference numeral 16 in that patent) is eliminated. In the form of variable mirror assembly 115 shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the motor and gearing arrangements 125 are mounted directly to a single plate or wall '117 and drive shafts 118 are placed through openings 119 in the plate or wall 117. Ends 120 of the drive shafts 118 are threaded and are adapted to rotate within internally threaded washers or eyelets 121 affixed to openings 122 in mirror 130. The actual mechanism contained within the housing shown at reference numeral 116 is not shown because any motor, with or without an appropriate reduction gear, which will provide a rotation of approximately 50 revolutions per minute at drive shaft 118, and which may be reversed, is appropriate to the invention. Thus, housings 125 may contain a 50 revolution per minute electric motor controlled by a two pole switching arrangement for reversing, or it may contain a faster type of electric motor geared down to provide for an even 50 revolutions per minute shaft 118 speed. 50 revolutions per minute has been selected as a standard for certain purposes in connection with the coding arrangements to be described hereinbelow. However, speeds somewhat faster or slower may be employed to accomplish the measured deflection of mirror 130 as will be more fully explained hereinbelow.

Coding systems In FIG. 7 of the drawings there is depicted a form of pictorial representation of a face constructed by the apparatus as set forth hereinabove on a screen 16. Screen 16 has a grid arrangement delineating means comprising a horizontal 140 and vertical 142 axes together with axes 144 and 146 intermediate thereto, all crossing a point preferably in the center of the screen 16 to correspond to the central point of the variable reflector as described hereinabove. These various axes are actually printed on the screen 16 in any manner known to the art, and are provided with unitary divisions such as defined by the marks 148. The unit space between each pair of marks 148 is exactly the same throughout the grid arrangement delineating means as described. The said unit space should be of an appropriate size so that it is convenient to use as an increment of measurement of the coding system which will be described.

The grid arrangement delineating means is used in a manual coding system as follows. A portrait 150 is flashed on screen 16 as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. After the various adjustments are made to deflect the variable mirror and the portrait is in desired form, the increments of the unit measurements are counted around the periphery of the portrait along both ends of each of the axes 140 through 146 inclusive. The code is made up as follows: Let us assume that each of the transparencies 11a through 11d inclusive is given a letter reference designation plus a number reference for the frame of the transparency. For example, transparency 11a is given the letter code A, and each frame of the transparency showing a variant is given a number starting serially from No. 1. Transparency 11b would be given the letter B together with frame numbers an-d so forth for the other transparencies used. In the preferred form of the invention, the grid arrangement delineating means is coded by roman numerals clockwise starting at the top of the vertical axis 142 as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. The number of increments from center to the top periphery of the face may be counted toward roman numeral I, and this may be repeated for all of the ends of the axes. Thus, if we assume that transparencies coded A-Z, B-3, C-2 and D-4 were used for the basic screening of the picture, and that after deflection, measurements I-7.5, II-6, III5, IV- 6, V7.5, VI-5, VII-5 and VIII-6 were made, we can then 6 state that for such assumption the code is A-2, B-3, C-2, D-4, I-7.5, 1L6, III-5, IV-6, V-7.5, VI-5, VII-5, VIII-6. It is a simple matter for an operator to reconstruct such a picture, either on the same machine at a later time or on a different machine at a distant place, by using the code as follows:

He sets up the projector with transparencies A, B, C and D in accordance with the frame numbers specified by motor means as described until the peripheral outline mirror at I through VIII inclusive, either manually or by motor means as described until the peripheral outline of the portrait comes within the increment units of measurement between points 148 as set forth on the grid arrangement delineating means. He will then have an exact reproduction of the originally constituted picture.

A second method of coding can be made in exactly the same manner, but by providing for a mechanical counting means on each varying means for the variable mirror. This coding would work in exactly the same way insofar as the transparencies are concerned, but instead of having a grid arrangement delineating means, the degree of radial movement of either the manual or the motor means used to vary the deflection of the variable mirror is measured. A form of this is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8 of the drawings where a mechanical counter 160, such as a Veeder-Root counter, is connected to either the motor or the shaft 118 of the means within the housing 125. When a desired picture is represented on a screen of the device, the mechanical counter, being set at zero prior to any deflection of the variable mirror, will have a reading indicating the degree of turn of either the motor. or the shaft as desired. In the preferred form the counter is set up to count once for each A of a turn or 36 degrees of rotation. Thus, for each turn of shaft 118, the counter will count up to 10. We must also indicate in which direction to rotate the shaft 118, either to right or left, in order to provide for the proper deflection. Thus, when a desired picture is set up on the screen, the code is made up by designating the proper transparency frames in sequence and then after each roman numeral, either an R or L for right or left, and the number of units counted by the mechanical counter to indicate the degree of rotation of the shaft 118. Thus, a typical code under this mechanical coding arrangement might read as follows: A-2, B3, C2, D 4, I-R8, II-R6, III-L4, IVR5, V-R2, VI-O, VII-L3, VIIIL5.

Another coding system that may be used with the apparatus is one which involves interfacing the apparatus with a memory storage device such as an electronic computer. Instead of placing mechanical counters on each shaft 118, a potentiometer is keyed to each of the shafts of the varying means of the device. When the picture is set as aforesaid, each potentiometer will be turned to the right or left a certain degree of rotation which will affect a current running through each potentiometer. The measurement of the current, which is done by means well known to the art, can be recorded on a magnetic tape of an electronic computer and stored for future reference, and may be obtained again through a read-out mechanism of the electronic computer device. The coding of the transparency and the transparency frame used can be stored in the memory storage system in either one of two ways; either by reading the coding numbers onto the magnetic tape or by using a notched card system which is well known in the computer card. This method is illustrated in part in FIG. 9 of the drawings by showing that the potentiometer is geared to the lead screw of shaft 118.

In all of the applications described hereinabove, it is to be understood that the amount of deflection will normally be within the range of /2 inch on either side of the normal plane of a mirror. Thus, by using a lead screw at the end of shaft 118 having a thread in which one turn would cause a deflection of 4 inch, it would be obvious that in all of the applications with a variable mirror having such lead screws, the greatest amount of rotation for either right or left would be two revolutions. Thus, any type of system can be devised to provide for any number of revolutions in the coding, and by applying either the mechanical or the electronic measurement systems in different gearing ratios and in different screw thread applications, it will be obvious that various desired coding numbers can be obtained. Any type of coding is operable so long as it is consistent for each device used within the system. The indicating devices such as the mechanical counter 160, as well as switch buttons, may be placed on the device in any position or on any portion thereof where it is mechanically expedient or desirable for esthetic purposes.

A device having free floating pins associated in the form shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawings of Patent No. 3,229,578 may be used with the manual coding system which makes use of the grid arrangement delineating means. For this manual coding system, the form of device as illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings, herein having the lead screw at the end of shaft 118 may also be used. However, for both the mechanical and electronic systems where precise measurements are required at the point of deflection, the form of device having lead screw as illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings is the preferred form.

In the form of device shown in FIG. 6, it may be desirable to have light signals to indicate when the mirror is in flat position. This may be done by affixing microswitches at points contiguous to the deflecting mechanisms as indicated at reference numeral 170. Thus, when the mirror is in exactly flat position, the switch can be normally open so that there will be no signal light, and when the mirror is in a deflected position, the switch will close and cause the signal light to go on. Variations in lighting systems can be made to indicate whether the mirror is deflected in any particular direction.

It will be obvious that the device and system as described can be used to reproduce any known modus operandi file or rogues gallery in any desired manner. For example, each photograph in a rogues gallery can be coded in accordance with a coding for the invention. When various descriptions of wanted suspects are sent around to various centers, the detectives in charge of the work can send code numbers of the known criminals that they feel might be responsible for the type of crime involved. The image of such code number can then be reproduced at any center where a device is physically present, or in any place where a portable device may be carried. In addition, an entire rogues gallery can be fed into a memory station of a computer, and by appropriate retrieval means, reviewed for obtaining the code numbers for look-alikes.

Another use of the invention may be to set up a camera such as one having a polaroid back to take an immediate photograph of a representation made up from a code received over long distance and distribute such photograph instantaneously in a given area. In connection with the use of the camera, I may provide a screen 16 having an artists pad. In this use, the artist may make changes in the pictorial representation flashed on the screen by adding scars and other defects or facial changes, and these may be photographed along with the picture as actually flashed on the screen to make a more complete composite face on the photograph.

The device can also be used as a childs toy by varying cartoon figures, and it could also be used as an amusement device as well as an educational device in art classes.

The device could also be used in conjunction with opaque projection means for purposes of illustration to large audiences. In this form of device, opaque pictures would be used instead of transparencies.

Another use of the device would be in the field of plastic surgery where a doctor could construct a face which would indicate to the patient what the results of surgery would produce, and the device could also be used to correct photographs taken at such angles which resulted in distortion of the subject matter of the photograph.

While I have described my invention in its preferred forms, there are other forms which it may take without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and I, therefore, desire to be protected for all forms coming within the scope of the claims hereinbelow.

Wherefore I claim:

1. An apparatus for constructing the picture of a face from a verbal description thereof comprising, in combination, a source of light, a mirror disposed in position to receive the direct rays of light from said source, means supporting a plurality of transparencies between said light source and said mirror, said mirror disposed at an angle to a straight line passing from said light to said mirror, a variable reflector disposed to receive light reflected by said mirror, said reflector supported at its central portion, a screen arranged to receive light from said reflector and individual means each arranged to deflect an individual portion of the said reflector from the normal plane thereof and a plurality of transparencies each having a portion of the picture of a face printed thereon, complementary to the portions of the pictures printed on the others, adapted to be held in said transparency-holding means, wherein each of said transparencies has a plurality of variants of the portions of the face printed thereon, arranged in spaced relation thereon, wherein said transparency-holding means includes a pair of spaced, oppositely-facing slotted members and means resiliently supporting said members for resiliently gripping the edges of a transparency disposed in facing slots in said members.

2. An apparatus for constructing the picture of a face comprising, in combination, a source of light, means for supporting a picture, a variable reflector disposed to receive light from said light source, said reflector supported at its central portion, a screen arranged to receive light from said reflector, and means to support at least one portion of at least one picture of a face in said apparatus so that the image of said picture will be reflected from said reflector toward said screen, wherein said means for deflecting said individual portions of said variable reflector has at least one rotatable portion including a reversible electric motor connected in an electric circuit, in combination with a memory storage device having data stored in it to signal through the said electric circuit a determined degree of rotation of said electric motors.

3. An apparatus for constructing the picture of a face comprising, in combination, a source of light, means for supporting a picture, a variable reflector disposed to receive light from said light source, said reflector supported at its central portion, a screen arranged to receive light from said reflector, and means to support at least one portion of at least one picture of a face in said apparatus so that the image of said picture will be reflected from said reflector toward said screen, wherein said means for deflecting said individual portions of said variable reflector has at least one rotatable portion including a reversible electric motor connected in an electric circuit, said circuit including indicator means for indicating the degree of radial movement made by said rotatable portion of said deflecting means, and the indicator means for indicating the degree of radial movement made by said rotatable portions of said deflecting means comprises an electric current measuring device and resistance means.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, in combination with an electronic memory storage device having means to record the measurements of the said electric current measuring device indicating means.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which the picture is comprised of a plurality of transparencies.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which the picture is comprised of a plurality of transparencies.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which the picture is comprised of a plurality of transparencies.

(References on following page) References Cited 2,974,426 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1904 De Pue 2831 X 8/1925 Khalil 881 5 1/1935 Stanley 8824 113,5 1/1954 Clark 8-8- 24 3/1955 Brown 88-24 11/1957 Fitz Gerald 35-76 X 4/1960 Somach 88-29 l 0 3/1961 McDonald 35-26 1/ 1966 Smith 88-76 5/1966 Stifona 35-75 FOREIGN PATENTS 2/1926 Switzerland.

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner. H. S. SKOGQUIST, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING THE PICTURE OF A FACE FROM A VERBAL DESCRIPTION THEREOF COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SOURCE OF LIGHT, A MIRROR DISPOSED IN POSITION TO RECEIVE THE DIRECT RAYS OF LIGHT FROM SAID SOURCE, MEANS SUPPORTING A PLURALITY OF TRANSPARENCIES BETWEEN SAID LIGHT SOURCE AND SAID MIRROR, SAID MIRROR DISPOSED AT AN ANGLE TO A STRAIGHT LINE PASSING FROM SAID LIGHT TO SAID MIRROR, A VARIABLE REFLECTOR DISPOSED TO RECEIVE LIGHT REFLECTED BY SAID MIRROR, SAID REFLECTOR SUPPORTED AT ITS CENTRAL PORTION, A SCREEN ARRANGED TO RECEIVE LIGHT FROM SAID REFLECTOR AND INDIVIDUAL MEANS EACH ARRANGED TO DEFLECT AN INDIVIDUAL PORTION OF THE SAID REFLECTOR FROM THE NORMAL PLANE THEREOF AND A PLURALITY OF TRANSPARENCIES EACH HAVING A PORTION OF THE PICTURE OF A FACE PRINTED THEREON, COMPLEMENTARY TO THE PORTIONS OF THE PICTURES PRINTED ON THE OTHERS, ADAPTED TO BE HELD IN SAID TRANSPARENCY-HOLDING MEANS, WHEREIN EACH OF SAID TRANSPARENCIES HAS A PLURALITY OF VARIANTS OF THE PORTIONS OF THE FACE PRINTED THEREON, ARRANGED IN SPACED RELATION THEREON, WHEREIN SAID TRANSPARENCY-HOLDING MEANS INCLUDES A PAIR OF SPACED, OPPOSITELY-FACING SLOTTED MEMBERS AND MEANS RESILIENTLY SUPPORTING SAID MEMBERS FOR RESILIENTLY GRIPPING THE EDGES OF A TRANSPARENCY DISPOSED IN FACING SLOTS IN SAID MEMBERS. 